'Heart attack' moment: R Ashwin describes calls from Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev on retirement day

It¡¯s still fresh and shocking that modern-day legend Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket after India's draw at the Gabba Test against Australia. The 38-year-old off-spinner announced that his time as an international cricketer "has come to an end," but also stated that he still has plenty of "punch" left.

Interestingly, he left Australia and landed in India on Thursday morning (December 19), where he was warmly welcomed at his home in Chennai. Now, the all-rounder has shared a glimpse of his final day as an international cricketer, including the calls he received from legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev.

R Ashwin describes his calls with Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev:

The spinner all-rounder took to social media to reveal that he had FaceTimed with the legend of the game Sachin Tendulkar and received a WhatsApp call from Kapil Dev as well.

Ashwin posted a screenshot of the call log, expressing his gratitude: "If someone told me 25 years ago that I would have a smartphone with me and the call log on the last day of my career as an Indian cricketer would look like this, I would have had a heart attack then only. Thanks, @sachin_rt and @therealkapildev paaji."

If some one told me 25 years ago that I would have a smart phone with me and the call log on the last day of my career as an Indian cricketer would look like this????, I would have had a heart attack then only. Thanks @sachin_rt and @therealkapildev paaji?? #blessed pic.twitter.com/RkgMUWzhtt

¡ª Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) December 20, 2024

In fact, when Ashwin first announced his retirement, the captain of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, remarked that the spinner did not receive the farewell he truly deserved.

About R Ashwin's retirement:

Since his retirement, Ashwin has received tributes from several cricketing stars, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir, all praising his remarkable contributions to Indian cricket.

Thanks buddy! Like I told you, I will be walking out with you to bat at the MCG? https://t.co/ebM3j8PPrK

¡ª Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) December 20, 2024

Ashwin leaves behind a legacy as one of India¡¯s greatest match-winners, ranking second only to Anil Kumble on the country¡¯s wicket-taking charts. With 537 Test wickets and six centuries in the longest format, he also holds the record for the highest wicket-taking off-spinner in Test cricket. He was a key member of India's victorious 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy squads.

In 2016, Ashwin earned the prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year awards, solidifying his status as a true cricketing legend.

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